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The Royal Commission for Riyadh City has announced further progress on the Riyadh Metro Red Line Extension project following the completion and successful factory testing of the project's deep tunnel boring machine (TBM), ahead of its transport to Riyadh to begin excavation works.

The extension will connect King Saud University with the Diriyah Gate Development Project, forming part of the Royal Commission's efforts to expand Riyadh's public transport network and strengthen connectivity between the city's key destinations.

The tunnel boring machine operates using Earth Pressure Balance (EPB) technology, featuring a cutterhead measuring 11.16 meters in diameter and a total length of 105 meters. It is equipped with advanced engineering technologies designed to operate efficiently under varying geological conditions while improving excavation performance.

The Red Line extension will span approximately 8.4 kilometers, including 7.1 kilometers of deep underground tunnels and 1.3 kilometers of elevated track. The project includes five stations—two serving King Saud University and three in Diriyah, one of which will serve as a future interchange with Line 7.

The project will further integrate the Riyadh Metro network, support the capital's urban expansion, enhance sustainable mobility, and contribute to the Royal Commission's vision of developing a modern and fully integrated transportation infrastructure.

The Riyadh Metro is one of the world's largest urban public transportation projects. It was approved as part of the King Abdulaziz Public Transport Project in 2012 and officially launched in 2013, with construction beginning in 2014 through three international consortiums.

Over the following years, the project involved extensive tunnel excavation, bridge and station construction, railway installation, and the deployment of advanced electrical and signaling systems. The network was gradually opened between December 2024 and January 2025, comprising six lines extending approximately 176 kilometers and serving 85 stations.

The Red Line Extension represents the next phase in the network's expansion, connecting King Saud University with the Diriyah Gate Development Project, further strengthening network integration while supporting Riyadh's rapid urban growth and major development projects.